Epidemiology of upper gastrointestinal symptoms in Brazil(Epi Gastro):A population-based study according to sex and age group

• Published in: World journal of gastroenterology : WJG 2014-12, Vol.20 (46), p.17388-17398
• Main Author: Latorre, Maria do Rosário Dias de Oliveira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Age Factors; Brazil - epidemiology; Chi-Square Distribution; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dyspepsia; Dyspepsia - diagnosis; Dyspepsia - epidemiology; Dyspepsia - therapy; Epidemiology; Esophagus; Female; Gastroesophageal; Gastroesophageal Reflux - diagnosis; Gastroesophageal Reflux - epidemiology; Gastroesophageal Reflux - therapy; Health Surveys; Humans; Life Style; Male; Middle Aged; Original; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Sex Distribution; Sex Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Telephone; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1007-9327; 2219-2840
• DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i46.17388

AIM:To determine the prevalences of symptoms consistent with gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)and dyspepsia in South America.METHODS:A telephone survey was conducted among adult owners of land-based telephones in S?o Paulo,Brazil,using previously validated computer-assisted sampling and survey protocols.The Portugueselanguage survey included(1)sociodemographic characteristics(e.g.,weight,height,smoking)and comorbidities;(2)dietary habits;(3)presence of symptoms consistent with GERD or dyspepsia within the prior 3mo;and(4)use of medications and other therapies to manage symptoms.Data were stratified post-hoc into three homogeneous geographical regions of S?o Paulo according to the Social Exclusion Indices of the districts and postal codes.Survey response data from each respondent were weighted by the numbers of adults and landline telephones in each household.The analyses were weighted to account for sampling design and to be representative of the S?o Paulo population according to city census data.RESULTS:Among 4570 households contacted,an adult from 3050(66.7%)agreed to participate.The nonresponse rate was 33.3%.The mean(SE)respondent age was 42.6(16.0)years.More than half of all respondents were women(53.1%),aged 18 through 49 years(66.7%),married or cohabitating(52.5%),and/or above normal-weight standards(i.e.,35.3%overweight and 16.3%obese).A total of 26.5%of women were perimenopausal.More than 20%of respondents reported highly frequent symptoms consistent with GERD(e.g.,gastric burning sensation=20.8%)or dyspepsia(e.g.,abdominal swelling/distension=20.9%)at least once per month.Prevalences of these symptoms were significantly(approximately 1.5-to 2.0-fold)higher among women than men but did not vary significantly as a function of advancing age.For instance,14.1%of women reported that they experienced stomach burning(symptom of GERD)at least twice per week,compared to 8.4%of men(P=0.012 byχ2 test).A total of 15.7%of women reported that they experienced abdominal swelling(symptom of dyspepsia)at least twice per week,compared to 6.4%of men(P<0.001byχ2 test).Despite frequent manifestations of GERD or dyspepsia,most(≥90%)respondents reported that they neither received prescription medications fromphysicians,nor took behavioral measures(e.g.,dietary modifications),to manage symptoms.CONCLUSION:Symptoms consistent with dyspepsia and GERD are prevalent in Brazil and represent major public-health and clinical challenges.